PHNOM PENH, Cambodia – A Chinese-built dam under construction in western Cambodia has partially collapsed, seriously injuring four workers and leaving another four missing and presumed drowned.

Maj. Theang Leng, chief of the police in the district where the hydroelectric dam is located on the Atay river, said Sunday that the collapse appeared to happen because the dam was holding too much water and had started leaking. He said a search was under way for the four missing after the accident on Saturday.

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Theang Leng said construction work has been temporarily halted as experts survey the damage.

Although Cambodia has an electricity shortage, there has been criticism of building some dams because of environmental and social reasons